Investigators looking for suspected arsonist after multiple fires started near Ventura

VENTURA, Calif. - Investigators are searching for a man wanted in connection to a number of suspicious fires that took place on Wednesday in the City of Ventura and surrounding areas.

Ventura firefighters and police officers responded to multiple fires in different areas of the city beginning early Wednesday morning.

The first fire was reported in an agricultural field near Olivas Park Drive and Telephone Road. Responding units found a fire burning in a tree row. Firefighters were able to quickly put out the fire. The fire department said this fire was similar to other fires that were reported in early August located between the city and county jurisdiction.

Later that evening, firefighters responded to three separate fires in West Ventura. Units responded to vegetation fires burning on Park Row Avenue and at the Olive off-ramp and a debris fire in a utility vault on West Main Street. All three fires were eventually put out and investigators were able to obtain suspect information related to these three fires.

Hours later, at around 9:45 p.m., fire units again responded to a report of a fire. This one located in a dumpster on the 1800 block of Portola Road. Crews arrived on scene and found two other dumpster fires on the scene.

An hour later, another fire was reported. Firefighters arrived on the 900 block of Ventura Avenue where a fire had been put out by bystanders. The fire was started under a propane storage bin. Investigators contacted the owner of the storage bin and were able to obtain a photo of the suspect wanted in connection to this fire.

Investigators say this man is wanted for questioning in connection to the fire at the propane storage bin.

Between 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., firefighters responded to three more fires on Olive Street. Vegetation, fences and debris underneath a car were all set on fire. Firefighters were able to put out all these fires with the help of some bystanders at the scene.

The fires continued early Thursday morning.

Just before 5:30 a.m., firefighters and police responded to the area or Market Street and Fleet Avenue for reports of multiple dumpster fires. These fires burned in dumpsters on Morse and Fleet avenues and another burned next to a structure on the 1300 block of Tower Square.

All these fires are under investigation and are considered to be suspicious. Investigators are asking for the public's help to find the person or people responsible for these fires.

Anyone with information about these fires or the suspect pictured above is urged to contact Ventura Police Detective Tyler Buck at 805-339-4462.